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Council declines to adopt staff resolution documenting utility de‑energization; members voice concerns about wording
Summary
Staff proposed a resolution to memorialize actions around utility de-energization and fee waivers tied to land movement; after public concern about language (including use of the word “historical”) and legal exposure, the council voted not to approve Resolution No. 1393.
City staff presented Resolution No. 1393 to memorialize actions related to utility de-energization and the fee-waiver process for residents impacted by land movement. The resolution described the steps taken to align city permit-fee waivers with the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors’ direction and to memorialize background on waiving certain permitting fees through Dec. 31, 2025.
Staff said the county and Supervisor Janice Hahn’s office authorized waiving certain fees and expediting permits through the end of 2025 to allow affected residents to restore gas or electrical service without the usual permitting fees and delays; Willdan Engineering authorized a maximum not-to-exceed $5,000 in similar fee relief for public‑works authorizations, staff said. The staff presentation said staff contacted residents and narrowed outstanding items to a small number of properties.
Multiple council members and public commenters raised concerns about language in the draft, especially the use of the term “historical land movement” and phrasing that could be read to overstate city action or to create unintended legal consequences. Several residents, including Melissa McNabb, asked the council to remove or reword passages that might be inaccurate or that could be used against residents in later claims. Council debate focused on whether passing a formal resolution would create downstream liabilities or be misinterpreted in future claims.
After discussion a council member moved that the council not approve the resolution; the motion carried and the resolution was not adopted. Council members directed staff to continue outreach to the remaining property owners and noted that the record of the discussion and the public comments are now part of the public record.
